9 Places To See The Fall Foliage In LA

Even though October in LA mostly brings the warm and dry weather with temperatures higher than they should be, here we have a list of places to go and see all the shades of Autumn that will make you crave some warm pumpkin latte. So scroll down and see where trees shed their crispy leaves the most and catch the fall foliage fever this year.

Arboretum and Botanical Gardens of Los Angeles

Located at the base of the San Gabriel mountains, the LA Arboretum is a great place to see 127 acres of trees and plants from all over the world. However, before heading home, be sure to get some snaps in with the most colorful inhabitants of the Arboretum: the peacocks!

How to get there: 301 North Baldwin Ave. Arcadia

Descanso Gardens

Located in La Cañada Flintridge, Descanso Gardens has plenty of flora to enjoy, including quite a few plants native to California. The gardens are open every day between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and the admission is $9.

How to get there: 1418 Descanso Dr. La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011

Ice House Canyon

For those looking to embrace fall colors surrounded by majestic mountainous beauty need travel no further than Ice House Canyon, the crown jewel of the Angles National Forest, located just below Mt. Baldy. Kids will love the year-round creek flowing happily through the canyon, old cabin ruins sprinkled along the trail and ladybugs aplenty. Parents will delight in the crisp clean air, soaring peaks and gorgeous fir, cedar, oak and sycamore trees that reach to the sky in a dazzling display of color during fall months.

How to get there: Ice House Canyon Rd. Mt. Baldy

Idyllwild

The Riverside County town of Idyllwild and nearby Lake Hemet have some tremendous fall foliage, with cottonwoods that turn bright yellow as the summer season comes to an end. There is also a Harvest Festival happening in late November that you can stop by for and check it out.

How to get there: Idyllwild-Pine Cove CA

Lacy Park

Beautiful and historic Lacy Park is home to several varieties of deciduous trees, spanning over 30 acres of lush beauty. An afternoon stroll around its mile-long walking path is sure to inspire that fall feeling in the whole family so make sure to have a thermos of hot cocoa on stand-by for an after-walk treat.

How to get there: 1485 Virginia Rd. San Marino

Lake Arrowhead

Lake Arrowhead is a beautiful, cozy and quaint mountain resort. Like Big Bear, it’s often thought of as a winter or summer retreat, but missing it in the fall, when foliage is part of the scenery and the crowds are not—well, that would be a shame.

How to get there: 80 miles East of Greater Los Angeles, Lake Arrowhead is about an hour and a half hour drive (depending on traffic). Peak colors are generally from late October to early November.

Malibu Creek State Park

Situated in the Santa Monica Mountains, this state park offers plenty of seasonal colors. Foliage is particularly visible in tree-filled Tapia Park. This park is also a great place for beginning hikers – Malibu Creek lives up to its name with a gurgling stream and low elevation trails.

How to get there: 1925 Las Virgenes Rd Calabasas, CA 91302

Mount Wilson Observatory

Hike to the top or simply drive to the summit of Mount Wilson to see stunning views across Angeles National Forest, including plenty of yellow and ochre-colored leaves. Then grab a bite at the Cosmic Cafe or climb up to the telescope where Edwin Hubble made many of his most significant observations about the ever-expanding universe.

How to get there: Mt Wilson CA

Oak Glen

Another destination known for its particularly delicious apples, Oak Glen—located east of San Bernardino—is a great place to see fall colors and do a bit of apple picking while you’re at it.

How to get there: Oak Glen CA 92399

Have we missed your favorite fall foliage spot? Make sure to hit it right in the comments below and advise fellow Angelinos where to see this magical change of seasons.

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